As an author, Angi selflessly promotes her fellow authors, whether she gets any promotion benefit out of it or not. Why? Because she cares about people, cares about her friends, and wants them all to do well. As a person, she goes out of her way to ensure that everyone is doing okay. When I saw her in Texas at conference last year, she took one look at me and decided I was dehydrated and took me up to her room and made me drink a bottle of water. She was right. I felt much better after that bottle of water. Angi’s like that – always looking out for others. And perhaps her most admirable quality is that she can make anyone smile. The gift of laughter, of making others feel happier just by walking into the room, is Angi’s superpower.

But don’t just take my word for it. Take theirs…

Diana Belchase: Angi presented me with my Golden Heart. I think she was just as nervous as I was — and so sweet. She had been a prior winner and had a two book contract and I kept thinking and hoping that would be me, too. Sigh, alas and alack it isn’t, but I remember that night with Angi, as she fumbled for her glasses, posed with me for the official photo, and gave me a great big hug, vividly.

Lizbeth Selvig: I met Angi Morgan in 2010 when she and I both finaled in RWA’s Golden Heart contest and then we each won our respective categories. We didn’t become fast friends right away, but we sure bonded–we know how to make each other laugh! Two years later I joined the group blog Angi started with several of our other GH sisters (Get Lost in a Story) and she also invited me to join a private chat room she’d started for a handful of authors who wanted a place to get together online and write. Since then I can honestly say Angi has never stopped encouraging me to push forward through the times when writing seems like a slog or when I’m at that point in a book when I’m sure I’ve lost any talent I ever had. I hope I do the same for her–because otherwise I’m getting all the perks of our friendship! Over the past four years I’ve come to realize that Angi encourages everyone she knows–she’s a wonderful friend. She also cares passionately about promoting her friends’ books, her books, and all romance reads in general. She’s one author who’s also an amazingly cool person!

Robin Perini: You can’t choose your relatives, right? Many a family reunion makes that truth all too real. Angi and I, though, that’s another story.

How can you be cousins, but not cousins? Well, when my uncle married Angie’s aunt, we became sort of cousins…kind of. Cousin-by-marriage? I guess that’s a title. Angi and I didn’t know each other. Our families tried to connect us, and of course, me being shy (and there is that thing about oh my gosh, I have to meet a pseudo-relative who also writes…can this be any more lame?). I reluctantly agreed to look her up.

We ended up standing in line practically next to each other during registration for a writing conference. I won’t even mention what I was saying—it was probably something like, “I have to find this chick whose aunt married my uncle and I don’t even know who she is….and there Angi was! LOL

We became acquaintances first, like you do sometimes with people you see only at a conference every other year or so. it’s an obligation, in a way. Though I will admit, every time we were able to get together, we talked our heads off. Then over time we discovered the truth: our paths are eerily similar and we have an amazing connection. How else does it happen that:

1) We both write romantic suspense
2) We both have the same agent (purely by accident, by the way)
3) We both won Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart Award in the same category one year apart
4) We both sold our first Harlequin Intrigue to the same editor …

There’s even more, but the best part is, that initial meeting fell away into memories. I’m blessed that my pseudo-relative became so much more. Not to mention that Angi shared one of the best writing tools that I use. Sprints. That’s another story, of course. The truth is you may not be able to choose your relatives, but you can definitely choose your friends…and sometimes not-exactly-cousins are the best gifts ever!

And now, for a brief interview…

Lena: When did you start writing for publication?Angi: Oooo…trick question. I thought everything I wrote would be published. LOL I began learning the business in 1999. Ten years later when all the kiddos graduated, I concentrated on getting my story in front of the right people. And sold. So I began writing for publishers in 2010.

Lena: Any info you want to share about your Intrigue call story?Angi: Other than it was awesome? And I was by myself? When my husband got home from traveling he took me to THE MELTING POT. He didn’t tell me he’d made a reservation OR that he’d told the staff I’d just sold. Flowers were delivered to the table and with them…a charm that represented his favorite thing in the book. Yes, my husband reads my books and actually enjoys them. It was a magical evening.

Lena: People you’ve met along the way who have been an inspiration?Angi: Sharon Mignery, Patricia Vermiere, Tara Waldie, Amy Atwell, Robin Perini, Jan Schliesman, my Golden Heart class of 2010, my Intrigue sisters. I gain inspiration from so many people, it’s hard to name them all. But the daily instant messages I receive from fans…keep me going with my writing.

Lastly, I just want to share an amazing PARTIAL list of awards and finals for Angi’s books…

Twice ranked on the top 25 of Publisher’s Weekly Trade paperback list

Romantic Times Magazine Top Pick

Romantic Times First Series Book Final

Booksellers’ Best First Book Final

Booksellers’ Best Series Romantic Suspense Final

Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence Final

Carolyn Readers Choice Award Final

Daphne du Maurier award WINNER

May 2011 Booksellers’ Best First Book Award Nominee

May 2011 Booksellers’ Best Short Contemporary Award Nominee

November 2010 Romantic Times Best Series First Book Nominee

July 2010 RWA Golden Heart® WINNER

Great Expectations romantic suspense WINNER

Romancing the Tome series WINNER

Barclay Sterling long contemporary WINNER

And did I mention dog rescue? Here’s some information about the work that Angi does.

Angi: People ask how I can foster pups and give them away. I won’t tell you it’s easy. But it is by far one of the best things I’ve done. Seeing a discarded dog find a home and become a part of a family brings tears to my eyes and joy to my heart. There just isn’t anything like the unconditional love of a pet. They’re there for you all the time…no matter what. I foster because there’s a family that needs the dog I’m training to love them.

What else does Angi do as a volunteer?

Angi: I served as a volunteer and on volunteer organization boards of numerous school organizations for 20 years (PTA, athletics, boosters, band, orchestra, choir, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts). Girls Fastpitch Softball for 22 years. Local writing organizations the past 14. We began volunteering as a foster family for Labrador retrievers in 2013.

What about volunteering for RWA?

Angi: National level: Regional Director, served on numerous committees. I was also the Literacy for Life book signing chair from 2004 through 2007. Local Level: President, President-Elect, Treasurer, Newsletter, Contest (just about every year) and lots and lots of other volunteer stuff

I’m extremely grateful that I met Angi all those years ago. And I’m honored and humbled to call her friend.

From last week’s blog post, the winner of an ebook copy of EASY TARGET by Kay Thomas is Kathleen Bylsma! And the winner of an ebook copy of EXIT STRATEGY by Lena Diaz is Cris! Congratulations! Please send your email address (and Nook or Kindle preference) via our Contact page.

I’m a reader and a blogger but most of all I’m a fan of Angi! She delights me daily with her cover photos, pics of her sweet lovable furbabies. But most of all I have been so lucky to spend time with her. She truly goes out of her way to help you without any reward!! Angi, you are my Everyday Day Super Hero!!

Hi Angi- I met Angi so many years ago at a National Conference, we were standing outside a workshop, and she just took me under her wing that year. I also had the pleasure of working with her when she chaired the Literacy Signings. Once we tried to have a brainstorming retreat in Houston with Christie Craig, we met up, had dinner and checked into the hotel on a Friday night- only to be disrupted in the wee hours of Saturday morning- I got a call to go to the hospital- my daughter was giving birth to my first grandson. I finally made it back on Sunday, but I understand she and Christie had a very productive time.

I loved this blog today! I have the honor of being in the GH class of 2010 and it amazes me how far both of you, Angi and Lena, have come. I’ve read all of Angi’s books and am always looking for the next one!

Wow! How do you do it all, Angi! I’m so impressed. And that photo of the Labs has me melting. My chocolate Lab Rosie is 18 months and still very much a puppy. Don’t you just love that happy Lab grin. Yes, I’m smitten.

Absolutely. The three I have are horrible on their own (I’m a stay at home furbaby owner). So a housesitter is needed when I’m gone overnight. BUT I LOVE THEM. They are so…so… Well, actually I don’t have words. And I’ve cut back on volunteering Krista. I love my writer friends and decided it was time to hang with people who know the voices are real. (lol)

I’d like to win the tote and books because I like to read Angi Morgan’s stories! Pure and simple. Romance and suspense…can’t get any better than that and can’t beat Angi’s writing. Thanks for the post! jdh2690@gmail.com

I’m so sorry I’m late to the Angi lovefest! What a wonderful and well-deserved blog! I first met Angi in NY at the very end of the conference – as she was chatting with Robin Perini and I stopped to talk to Robin. It turned out both Angi and I had a few free hours and we ended up spending that time exploring the city and then shared a taxi to the airport. Angi is as wonderful as described and I was utterly thrilled last fall to have my novella published along with hers and her cousin-by-marriage Robin’s in the Twelve Shades of Midnight anthology.

So looking forward to seeing Angi in NY again in 2 weeks!

And of course, my Angi story wouldn’t be complete without this picture from our NY adventure. I don’t think WordPress will post the picture in the comments, but it’s worth following the link. I promise.

Angi is indeed generous with her time for her fellow writers and organizations. Frankly, I never quite see how you do all you do, gal. I’m betting you only sleep a couple hours a day. LOL I’ll share. Others need to know.